Goals and Purpose

The
Directory of Directory of Traditional American Crafts® was established
in 1985 to showcase the talents of
artisans and craft people working in the styles, media, and traditions of
early America. They are following in the footsteps of the people who laid
the foundation of the American nation, making both useful objects (from
clothes to dinnerware to furniture to tools) and art--and most important of
all, where the two collide. A useful clock becomes a work of art.

Two goals
underlie the Directory. It is meant to preserve and to educate. Without
preservation, the skills and knowledge to create these objects will be lost.
Should the last maker of Shaker boxes pass on (fortunately for the world,
there are many), the techniques passed on for generations will be lost.
Although centuries from now some historic re-creator might revive the
product, he can never be sure he truly duplicates the efforts of his
predecessors. Once lost a skill is gone forever.

Education is the
key to preservation. We must learn from our predecessors, not just how but
why--the full story of where a particular art or craft came from, how it
evolved, and how the best results can be achieved. Most of the participants
in the Directory in some way educate, either by taking apprentices under
their wings, by giving demonstrations at museums, conventions, and fairs, or
by publishing. In addition, the Directory jurors provide feedback to
participants to help them improve the quality and historical integrity of
their work.